Recap: Notre Dame vs. North Dakota St

Notre Dame, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Marshall Bjorklund scored 26 points prior to fouling out as the North Dakota State Bison upset the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 73-69, in a non-conference battle at Purcell Pavilion.

Bjorklund finished on 11-of-14 shots from the floor before leaving the game with 42 seconds to play for North Dakota State (7-3). Lawrence Alexander posted a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds and Taylor Braun tallied 13 points as well. The Bison have won five-straight games.

Pat Connaughton scored 21 points but did so on 8-of-21 shooting, including a 5-of-15 showing from 3-point range for Notre Dame (7-3). Eric Atkins contributed 12 points, Demetrius Jackson chipped in 11 and Garrick Sherman recorded a double-double with 10 points to match 10 rebounds.

In the first half the Bison connected on 58.3 percent of their attempts from the floor to claim a 39-37 lead at the break. The Fighting Irish hit on only 35.7 percent from the field but had a 13-6 scoring advantage at the free-throw line to stay close.

The Fighting Irish shot an identical 35.7 percent from the field in the second half, including a 5-of-20 effort from beyond the arc. It was not enough to keep up with the Bison, who hit on 44.8 percent from the floor and went on a 6-0 run after Bjorklund fouled out to secure the victory.

North Dakota State had a slim edge on the boards (33-32) but outscored Notre Dame handily in the paint (40-22).